Who doesn’t love a little bit of controversy within the low season?
In response to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado blocked a commerce to the Houston Astros.
For the primary time since 2016, the Houston Astros didn’t take part within the American League Championship Collection in October, as they fell in two video games to the Detroit Tigers. What’s extra is that their long-time third baseman, Alex Bregman, stays a free agent.
The Astros have additionally made a giant commerce lately, buying and selling their star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski, and prospect Cam Smith. Paradoxically, Paredes is a 3rd baseman who pulls the ball a ton from the best facet of the batter’s field, excellent for the Crawford Containers at Minute Maid Park.
Regardless that they only traded for Paredes who has primarily performed the new nook all through his profession, it appears as if the Astros want to add Arenado. Earlier this low season, Katie Woo of The Atheltic reported that Arenado was open to transferring to first base if it meant serving to his new crew.
Final season, the 33-year slashed .272/.325/.394 with 16 residence runs in 635 plate appearances for a 102 wRC+. The 12 months earlier than, he had a 106 wRC+, with one of the best season of his profession coming again in 2022 when he had 30 residence runs and 149 wRC+.
Transferring Arenado off third base is a bit silly, as he’s arguably one of the best defender on the place, not excellent now, however of all time. Since getting into the league in 2013 with the Colorado Rockies, he has 162 Defensive Runs Saved in 14019.2 innings on the scorching nook. Furthermore, since Outs Above Common began being tracked in 2016, he has 106 OAA. He’s by no means performed first base in his massive league profession.
Arenado has three years left on his eight-year, $260 million deal, about $52 million with a luxurious tax hit of about $25.6 million. He has a full No-Commerce Clause, which means he can veto any commerce, together with one to the Houston Astros.
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see what occurs over the approaching days.
As at all times, you may comply with me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
